Paul Montgomery, better known as "Uncle Paul" to those who grew up in the '60's and '70's WRAL TV viewing area of North Carolina, died on December 24, 2002, after a period of declining health. He was 78.
He was born to Troy and Lottie Montgomery in Mayodan, NC (Rockingham County) the first of three boys. Because of impaired vision from birth, at age seven, his parents sent him to the North Carolina School for the Blind in Raleigh (Governor Morehead School). He attended for 12 years receiving an excellent education, particularly in music which he had shown interest and had exceptional talent in from a very early age.
He then attended the University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, majoring in music, but before he could graduate, his love for performing and his interest in radio broadcasting led him to a job as music librarian, on-air musical talent and disc jockey at WRAL-AM in Raleigh. While working there, he met his wife, Camilla who worked in the newsroom and they were married in 1948. He also worked at WFRC-AM in Reidsville, NC, and WNAO-TV in Raleigh before moving to WRAL-TV in the early 60's. He served as announcer, talent coordinator and musician as well as hosting a children's program, The Uncle Paul Show, which remained on the air until 1981 when he retired.
During this time his reputation as a jazz pianist with various bands grew and eventually his own group, The Jazz Journeymen, became very popular and is still remembered by many today. He also was a mainstay at the Frog Nightgown jazz club and was honored to work with many of the great jazz musicians that came through town. He also accompanied jazz vocalist Carol Sloane during her stay in North Carolina. After his retirement he continued to perform, primarily with The Gregg Gelb Swing Band, a group his daughter and son-in-law formed as well as The North Carolina Jazz Repertory Orchestra that was an offshoot of The Swing Band. Although he is primarily thought of as a jazz musician, he loved and performed many other kinds of music traditional, country, string, folk, and classical. He was not only an accomplished pianist, but also excelled on organ, violin, guitar, vibes and drums.
He was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church and or many years was very active in the music program there as organist, choir member and violinist.
He was survived by his wife of 54 years, the former Camilla Watkins; daughters, Kathy and husband, Gregg Gelb of Sanford, NC; Judy Montgomery and John Margulis of New York City; and grandson, Christopher Montgomery Gelb, the joy of his life. Also surviving are his 97 year old mother, Lottie Montgomery of Mayodan, NC; brothers, Curtis and wife, Polly of Salisbury,NC; and Donnie and Shirley of Mayodan, NC; brother and sister-in-law, Tommy and Mona Watkins of Raleigh.
He was born to Troy and Lottie Montgomery in Mayodan, NC (Rockingham County) the first of three boys. Because of impaired vision from birth, at age seven, his parents sent him to the North Carolina School for the Blind in Raleigh (Governor Morehead School). He attended for 12 years receiving an excellent education, particularly in music which he had shown interest and had exceptional talent in from a very early age.
He then attended the University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, majoring in music, but before he could graduate, his love for performing and his interest in radio broadcasting led him to a job as music librarian, on-air musical talent and disc jockey at WRAL-AM in Raleigh. While working there, he met his wife, Camilla who worked in the newsroom and they were married in 1948. He also worked at WFRC-AM in Reidsville, NC, and WNAO-TV in Raleigh before moving to WRAL-TV in the early 60's. He served as announcer, talent coordinator and musician as well as hosting a children's program, The Uncle Paul Show, which remained on the air until 1981 when he retired.
During this time his reputation as a jazz pianist with various bands grew and eventually his own group, The Jazz Journeymen, became very popular and is still remembered by many today. He also was a mainstay at the Frog Nightgown jazz club and was honored to work with many of the great jazz musicians that came through town. He also accompanied jazz vocalist Carol Sloane during her stay in North Carolina. After his retirement he continued to perform, primarily with The Gregg Gelb Swing Band, a group his daughter and son-in-law formed as well as The North Carolina Jazz Repertory Orchestra that was an offshoot of The Swing Band. Although he is primarily thought of as a jazz musician, he loved and performed many other kinds of music traditional, country, string, folk, and classical. He was not only an accomplished pianist, but also excelled on organ, violin, guitar, vibes and drums.
He was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church and or many years was very active in the music program there as organist, choir member and violinist.
He was survived by his wife of 54 years, the former Camilla Watkins; daughters, Kathy and husband, Gregg Gelb of Sanford, NC; Judy Montgomery and John Margulis of New York City; and grandson, Christopher Montgomery Gelb, the joy of his life. Also surviving are his 97 year old mother, Lottie Montgomery of Mayodan, NC; brothers, Curtis and wife, Polly of Salisbury,NC; and Donnie and Shirley of Mayodan, NC; brother and sister-in-law, Tommy and Mona Watkins of Raleigh.
Paul Montgomery, better known as "Uncle Paul" to those who grew up in the '60's and '70's WRAL TV viewing area of North Carolina, died on December 24, 2002, after a period of declining health. He was 78.
He was born to Troy and Lottie Montgomery in Mayodan, NC (Rockingham County) the first of three boys. Because of impaired vision from birth, at age seven, his parents sent him to the North Carolina School for the Blind in Raleigh (Governor Morehead School). He attended for 12 years receiving an excellent education, particularly in music which he had shown interest and had exceptional talent in from a very early age.
He then attended the University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, majoring in music, but before he could graduate, his love for performing and his interest in radio broadcasting led him to a job as music librarian, on-air musical talent and disc jockey at WRAL-AM in Raleigh. While working there, he met his wife, Camilla who worked in the newsroom and they were married in 1948. He also worked at WFRC-AM in Reidsville, NC, and WNAO-TV in Raleigh before moving to WRAL-TV in the early 60's. He served as announcer, talent coordinator and musician as well as hosting a children's program, The Uncle Paul Show, which remained on the air until 1981 when he retired.
During this time his reputation as a jazz pianist with various bands grew and eventually his own group, The Jazz Journeymen, became very popular and is still remembered by many today. He also was a mainstay at the Frog Nightgown jazz club and was honored to work with many of the great jazz musicians that came through town. He also accompanied jazz vocalist Carol Sloane during her stay in North Carolina. After his retirement he continued to perform, primarily with The Gregg Gelb Swing Band, a group his daughter and son-in-law formed as well as The North Carolina Jazz Repertory Orchestra that was an offshoot of The Swing Band. Although he is primarily thought of as a jazz musician, he loved and performed many other kinds of music traditional, country, string, folk, and classical. He was not only an accomplished pianist, but also excelled on organ, violin, guitar, vibes and drums.
He was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church and or many years was very active in the music program there as organist, choir member and violinist.
He was survived by his wife of 54 years, the former Camilla Watkins; daughters, Kathy and husband, Gregg Gelb of Sanford, NC; Judy Montgomery and John Margulis of New York City; and grandson, Christopher Montgomery Gelb, the joy of his life. Also surviving are his 97 year old mother, Lottie Montgomery of Mayodan, NC; brothers, Curtis and wife, Polly of Salisbury,NC; and Donnie and Shirley of Mayodan, NC; brother and sister-in-law, Tommy and Mona Watkins of Raleigh.
He was born to Troy and Lottie Montgomery in Mayodan, NC (Rockingham County) the first of three boys. Because of impaired vision from birth, at age seven, his parents sent him to the North Carolina School for the Blind in Raleigh (Governor Morehead School). He attended for 12 years receiving an excellent education, particularly in music which he had shown interest and had exceptional talent in from a very early age.
He then attended the University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, majoring in music, but before he could graduate, his love for performing and his interest in radio broadcasting led him to a job as music librarian, on-air musical talent and disc jockey at WRAL-AM in Raleigh. While working there, he met his wife, Camilla who worked in the newsroom and they were married in 1948. He also worked at WFRC-AM in Reidsville, NC, and WNAO-TV in Raleigh before moving to WRAL-TV in the early 60's. He served as announcer, talent coordinator and musician as well as hosting a children's program, The Uncle Paul Show, which remained on the air until 1981 when he retired.
During this time his reputation as a jazz pianist with various bands grew and eventually his own group, The Jazz Journeymen, became very popular and is still remembered by many today. He also was a mainstay at the Frog Nightgown jazz club and was honored to work with many of the great jazz musicians that came through town. He also accompanied jazz vocalist Carol Sloane during her stay in North Carolina. After his retirement he continued to perform, primarily with The Gregg Gelb Swing Band, a group his daughter and son-in-law formed as well as The North Carolina Jazz Repertory Orchestra that was an offshoot of The Swing Band. Although he is primarily thought of as a jazz musician, he loved and performed many other kinds of music traditional, country, string, folk, and classical. He was not only an accomplished pianist, but also excelled on organ, violin, guitar, vibes and drums.
He was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church and or many years was very active in the music program there as organist, choir member and violinist.
He was survived by his wife of 54 years, the former Camilla Watkins; daughters, Kathy and husband, Gregg Gelb of Sanford, NC; Judy Montgomery and John Margulis of New York City; and grandson, Christopher Montgomery Gelb, the joy of his life. Also surviving are his 97 year old mother, Lottie Montgomery of Mayodan, NC; brothers, Curtis and wife, Polly of Salisbury,NC; and Donnie and Shirley of Mayodan, NC; brother and sister-in-law, Tommy and Mona Watkins of Raleigh.
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